WORCESTER — The Worcester Redevelopment Authority is looking to alleviate traffic congestion that often develops in front of Union Station by having a taxi stand created in the rear of the station.

By shifting taxi activity for Union Station to Harding Street, the WRA believes it will greatly diminish safety concerns caused by traffic bottlenecks that frequently occur in front of the station, especially during the peak morning and evening commute hours.

City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. has submitted to the City Council a proposal to create a taxi stand on the east side of Harding Street, north of Franklin Street and under the elevated railroad tracks that run along the west side of Union Station.

The proposed taxi stand location is adjacent to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority bus hub, the Peter Pan/Greyhound bus lines station and is in close proximity to the Union Station parking garage.

Mr. Augustus said the location provides direct access to and from Union Station via its Harding Street entrance and is a centralized location for all patrons of the intermodal facility.

Michael E. Traynor, the city's acting chief development officer, said the WRA has been exploring ways to address the traffic congestion in front of Union Station.

He said the current pickup and drop-off activities in front of the building at its Washington Square main entrance are impeding traffic flow in the area and pose a safety risk, especially during peak commute hours.

Mr. Traynor said the most viable solution to the problem is to relocate the queuing of taxis to the rear of Union Station.

"This relocation will shift activity to Harding Street and serve to alleviate congestion and bottlenecks at the front of (Union Station)," Mr. Traynor wrote in a report that goes before the City Council Tuesday night.

He said the proposed taxi stand will be located on the east side of Harding Street, from a point 200 feet north of Franklin Street to a point 50 feet north of Franklin Street.

He said that is enough space to accommodate about seven vehicles.

Contact Nick Kotsopoulos at nicholas.kotsopoulos@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @NCKotsopoulos

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